Spring breakers from Panama City, Florida report a Sasquatch siting in the Smokies on April 1, 2015. This recent encounter has the local population on edge as fears escalate. The Sasquatch, a large half-bear / half-man creature, was believed to dwell only in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. until recently.

That belief changed early this spring when park visitors reported a large “creature” walking up-right near populated areas. Officials urge the public to keep a close eye on children and pets until the creature can be positively identified.

“Dude, it was big,” says spring breaker Jeff Spicoli. The mystery has intensified as it has been documented that all wildlife have fled the areas where the encounters occurred.

Locals make a big moulage out of plaster cast of the big foot prints.

“I thought it was strange all the animals just left the area,” says local ranger I.B. Lyon, “then I noticed the huge footprints. It was a big foot no doubt about it.”

Lyon further explains,” I went back to the Jeep to call it in on the radio and my vehicle was gone. It was like someone just picked it up and carried it off. Those big foot prints were everywhere!”

He was there all alone in the Smokies wilderness and no way out. And somewhere deep in the forest Lyon heard a growling sound…

It’s a rootin’ tootin’ festival of good eats at the Gatlinburg Beans ‘n Cornbread Blast presented by Bush Brothers & Company on Thursday, May 14 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The festival will be held on the downtown Gatlinburg Parkway between traffic lights #6 and #8.

An authentic celebration of Appalachian culinary history complete with roots and bluegrass musical entertainment, antique engines, and a Corn Hole Tournament from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A $10 entry fee for the tournament benefits the Sevier County Humane Society. Over a dozen vendors, each with their own special recipes, will be in competition and your vote helps pick the winners!

Tickets are $10 per person for unlimited sampling while supplies last. For more information and to purchase tickets to the Gatlinburg Beans ‘n Cornbread Blast, email the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitor Bureau’s Special Events Division at info@gatlinburg.com or call 865-430-1817 or 800-588-1817.

Did you know that Bush Beans & Company has a fabulous Visitor Center, General Store and Cafe in the Great Smoky Mountains? Be sure to visit the Bush’s Visitor Center in beautiful Chestnut Hill. The short drive over to Dandridge is worth the trip to learn all about how they “roll that beautiful bean footage!”

Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge hosts their 3rd Annual Book Signing Fair beginning March 13 through April 12.

Our fascination with all things Titanic have provided us with hundreds of books on the subject. Now is your opportunity to check out some of the latest books and meet the authors!

You’ll have the opportunity to meet the incredible Lowell Lytle, author of Diving into The Deep. Lytle holds the distinction of being the oldest and possibly the tallest person to dive 2.5 miles deep in the North Atlantic Sea to see the wreckage of the Titanic first-hand. His inspired character portrayal of Captain E. J. Smith has entertained generations and is not to be missed.

Here’s the rundown of the authors with whom you’ll have the chance to meet:

Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort and Keep Sevier Beautiful are kicking off Keep America Beautiful’s flagship event, the Great American Cleanup, with their own 2nd Annual Recycling Games at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.

As part of this exciting event, Wilderness at the Smokies is offering special one-day tickets to their WildDome Waterpark for only $15 per person. You can splash and play from 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Ticket prices are for both adults and children ages 3 and over. Proceeds from the day will be donated to Keep Sevier Beautiful and the Sevier County Food Ministry.

The 2nd Annual Recycling Games will be from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and will offer fun and games for the whole family. The first 500 kids to sign up to participate in the games receive a special goody bag.

“Our goal is to bring fun opportunties for environmental education and positive behavior changes to a local level, and to engage our community to take greater responsibility for our beautiful area,” says Keep Sevier Beautiful’s executive director Laura Howard.

Other sponsors for the event are Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, Hard Rock Cafe in Pigeon Forge, Food City, ALCOA, The Mountain Press, Pepsi, and the Sevier County Food Ministry Thrift Shop.

It’s been quite some time since Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort developed a new slope, so this season’s opening of the new Yeti’s Run has been quite welcome for skiers and snowboarders.

Yeti’s Run, an advanced rated slope, splits off to the east from the top of Black Lift. The new run is 635 feet long and 45 feet wide and allows for more options down the slope as it reconnects with Mogel Ridge, Grizzly or Upper Bear Run. Yeti’s Run, with 100% snowmaking capabilities, is equipped with lights for skiing and snowboarding after dark and will allow more space for special events at the ski area.

This 2014-2015 season is Ober Gatlinburg’s 53rd year offering a variety of snow sports and other activities in the Great Smoky Mountains.

In addition to snow tubing in winter, you and your family can skate at Ober’s Indoor Ice Rink, experience the Wildlife Encounter, or have fun in the Arcade.

Summer offerings include an alpine slide, scenic chairlift, chair swing, water raft rides, mini-golf, and a maze. Opening this spring will be their new Mountain Coaster.

For more info on hours and rates, click here or call Ober Gatlinburg at 865-436-5423